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Category: Sins

The fitnah of As Shahawaat (Base Desires) – Shaykh Abdul Qadir al Junaid

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What is meant by this type of fitnah is the fitnah of the desires which leads to and encourages one to engage in and commit sins or disobedience to Allah.

This type of fitnah is very dangerous especially in our times because of the fact that this type of fitnah is more appealing and closer to those who have weak souls. Thus, the (weak) individual gives in the first time, then gets drawn in to this type of fitnah and establishes a strong foothold in committing sins. Thus, his iman (faith) weakens or even leaves.

Some examples of this type of fitnah are: the desire for wealth, immoralities, amusement, food and drink, clothes, and the desire to imitate the kuffar and sinners. For example, the lust for wealth leads to falling into numerous sins like the bloodshed which emanates between warring countries or between tribes, breaking into people’s homes and businesses or their cars, embezzling people’s money by unlawful means or prohibited means like fraud or selling things which are prohibited.

Lust for immoralities leads to committing unlawful acts like rape, fornication or adultery, homosexuality, masturbation, luring minors or weak minded individuals into committing inappropriate acts. It also leads to watching pornographic channels, videos, on the internet or magazines. It also leads to harassing or following women in shopping malls or with video enhanced networking devices like that are included in mobile phones and computer cameras. In addition to these vices, this type of fitnah leads to lethargy with regards to performing the obligatory actions in addition to leniency with regards to them and even leads to eventually leaving them completely, not performing them at all. An individual may be chaste, have fear of Allah, be religious and then open the door to this type of fitnah and as a result become corrupt and then be destroyed.

Source : Hasten to do good deeds; (there will be) fitnah like a portion of a dark night .. (Must Read) – by: Sheikh Abdul Qaadir Bin Muhammad Al Junaid, Translated By: Abu Afnaan Muhammad Abdullah

.. But their Tongues rip apart the honor of both the dead and the living – Imaam Ibnul-Qayyim

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Imaam Ibnul-Qayyim, rahimahullaah, said:

It is quite amazing how it can be easy upon a person to be cautious and wary with regards to [different impermissible acts such as]: eating from unlawful means, oppression, adultery and fornication, stealing, drinking intoxicants, looking at prohibited things and the likes, and yet quite difficult for him to be careful about the movement of his tongue. So bad that you find a person towards whom the people point to concerning his practice of the Religion, his asceticism, and worship, and despite this he says statements that anger Allaah greatly and he shows no concern about this, yet this statement will take him [to a Fire] that is farther than distance between east and west. (1)

How many people do you see from amongst those who have enough piety to abstain from lewd, indecent acts, oppression and wrong doing, but their tongues rip apart the honor of both the dead and the living and they show not a care in the least.

Footnotes:

(1) Just as al-Bukhaaree (no. 6477) and Muslim (no. 2988) have collected on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah.

Source: “al-Jawaabul-Kaafee/adDaa wad-Dawaa”.

Transcribed from: The Appendix of “An Explanation of the Hadeeth: “Say, ‘I believe in Allah’, and then be upright and steadfast.” | Ibn Rajab
[you can the buy the book @ http://www.authenticstatements.com/sku16368/]

 

General Advice on some of the Major Sins – Fatwas of Ibn Baz

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General advice  Some of the Major Sins

[1] Backbiting,  [2] Tale-bearing,  [3] Envy,  [4] Injustice

From `Abdul-`Aziz ibn `Abdullah ibn Baz to those who see it of my Muslim brothers, may Allah grant me and them success in fulfilling what pleases Him, and keep us away from disobeying Him, Amen!

As-salamu `alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah’s Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!), to continue:

I advise every Muslim to have Taqwa (fearing Allah as He should be feared) in all circumstances and guard his tongue from saying anything other than that which is useful, because Mubah (permissible) talk may lead to what is Haram (prohibited) or Makruh (reprehensible), and this is common among people, Allah the Exalted says: Not a word does he (or she) utter but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it). Allah (Exalted be He) also says: And follow not (O man i.e., say not, or do not or witness not) that of which you have no knowledge. Verily! The hearing, and the sight, and the heart, of each of those one will be questioned (by Allâh). The Prophet (may Allah’s Peace and Blessings be upon him) also says in the Hadith agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim and narrated by Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day should either utter good words or stay silent…” .

There are things that may be a topic of talks but should not be spoken and one should be warned against talking about them, for they could lead to major sins, which would lead to displeasing Allah and to His Punishment. These things have become commonly widespread in some communities:

1- Backbiting :

That is talking about your brother or sister in a way that they would dislike, if they heard about it, whether it be talking about their body, family, character, actions, sayings or about their religion or life, or even talking ill about their clothes, home or car.

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Do you know what backbiting is? They (the Companions) said: Allah and His Messenger know best. Thereupon, he (the Prophet) said: Backbiting is talking about your brother in a manner which he does not like. It was said to him: What is your opinion, if I actually find (that failing) in my brother that which I made a mention of? He said: If (that failing) is actually found (in him) what you assert, then you in fact, backbit him, and if it is not in him, it is a slander against him. Reported by Muslim.

Backbiting is Haram (prohibited), no matter what the reason behind it; whether it is to calm down rage, or to compliment those present and make conversation with them, or reconciling or courtesy of companions. Or to encourage others to speak or to envy others or just for fun, or to waste time or if a person speaks ill of others to make those present laugh. Allah the Exalted forbade this, and warned His slaves against it, He the Exalted says: O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion; indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting). And fear Allâh. Verily, Allâh is the One Who forgives and accepts repentance, Most Merciful.

In a Hadith by Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: The Muslim is inviolable by his Muslim brother, with regard to his blood, wealth and honor Reported by Muslim. He (peace be upon him) said in his final Khutbah (sermon) in his Farewell Hajj: Your blood, your properties and your honors are as sacred to one another as the sanctity of this day of yours in this month of yours in this town of yours. (Listen) Have I not conveyed Allah’s message to you? Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim. It is also narrated by Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: The worst kind of usury is indulging in evil talk about the honor of your Muslim brother. Reported by Al-Bazzar and Abu Dawud. The authentic Hadiths of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that refer to the prohibition of backbiting and warning against it are so many.

2- Among vices that should be avoided, kept away from and warned against is tale-bearing.

It refers to the act of transferring conversations from one person to another, or from one group to another, or from one tribe to anotherwith the intention of causing corruption and driving people away from each other. It includes disclosing what people dislike no matter if the person reported, the person informed, or even others may dislike it. This act of disclosing may be done verbally, written, or by using code, or gestures regardless of the subject reported whether it is a saying or an action and whether it is a defect or imperfection in the person reported or not. A person must refrain from talking about what he knows or sees in people, unless there is some benefit to Muslims in transferring information or that it will eliminate evil.

Motives behind tale-bearing is either to cause evil to the person being spoken about or to show love to the person who is being informed, or to engage in ones advantages and disadvantages; all of which is forbidden. No one should believe rumor mongers; because a person who gossips is considered a Fasiq (someone openly and flagrantly violating Islamic law), whose Shahadah (testimony of faith) is rejected. Allah the Exalted says: O you who believe! If a Fâsiq (liar — evil person) comes to you with any news, verify it, lest you should harm people in ignorance , one must forbid him from doing so, advise him against it, and condemn the act, for Allah (Exalted be He) says: …enjoin (on people) Al-Ma‘rûf – (Islâmic Monotheism and all that is good), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief in the Oneness of Allâh, polytheism of all kinds and all that is evil and bad) One should dislike him for Allah’s sake and should not think negatively of his brother, who is being spoken about. He should think good of his brother, Allah (Exalted be He) says: O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion; indeed some suspicions are sins. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘Beware of suspicion, for it is the worst of false tales. Agreed upon its authenticity i.e. reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.

He should not spy on the person who was spoken about or defame his self by committing the same forbidden act that the gossiper committed by repeating the gossip which he heard.

The evidence for the prohibition of tale-bearing in the Quran and Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet) are many; for example, Allah (Exalted be He) says: And (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) obey you not everyone Hallaf Mahîn (the one who swears much and is a liar or is worthless). [Tafsir At-Tabari] A slanderer, going about with calumnies, Allah (Exalted be He) also says: Woe to every slanderer and backbiter. It is narrated by Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: The story-teller will not enter Paradise (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim). Ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Should I inform you what slandering is? It is tale-carrying, which creates dissension amongst people. Reported by Muslim. Tale-bearing is one of the reasons of punishment in the grave, for Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) passed by two graves and said: “These two people are being tortured not for a major sin (to avoid).” The Prophet (peace be upon him) then added, “Yes! (they are being tortured for a major sin). Indeed, one of them never saved himself from being soiled with his urine while the other used to go about with calumnies (to make enmity between friends).” (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Backbiting and tale-bearing are forbidden due to the damage they cause, the corruption between people and the divisions and chaos which it creates, igniting the fire of hatred, envy and hypocrisy, and eliminating all affection and fatality. Also causing quarrels and discord among brothers who were once close. It also involves lying, treachery, betrayal, deception and accusations of the innocent, which lead one to curse, abuse and insult. They are sings of cowardice, and pettiness and defect. In addition to this, the sinners who make these accusations will bear many sins, which will lead to the wrath of Allah, and indignation and painful punishment.

3- That which should be avoided and kept away from, a reprehensible trait, which is known as envy.

That is, a person wishing that a certain bounty and grace be removed from his brother in Islam, whether this grace and bounty is related to religion or is worldly. This is objecting to what Allah has destined and granted His slaves. This is injustice by the envious person to himself for his Iman (faith) is decreased due to this, causing calamities and concerns for himself, ruining him in a great way. Allah (Exalted be He) says: Or do they envy men (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and his followers) for what Allâh has given them of His Bounty?

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Do not be envious of one another; do not artificially inflate prices against one another; do not hate one another; do not shun one another; and do not undercutone another in business transactions; and be as fellow-brothers and servants of Allah. Reported by Muslim. Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) also narrated that the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Avoid envy, for envy devours good deeds just as fire devours fuel. Reported by Abu Dawud.

4- A person is also required to stay away from injustice, which is being unfair and legal misbehavior.

The biggest of these is Shirk (associating others in worship with Allah) of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) through violation and sins. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: And (remember) when Luqmân said to his son when he was advising him: “O my son! Join not in worship others with Allâh. Verily joining others in worship with Allâh is a great Zûlm (wrong) indeed. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: And it is the disbelievers who are the Zâlimûn (wrong-doers).

This also includes taking other people’s property without the right to do so, or taking something from one’s land or attacking or abusing them, which is also a major sin and disobedience of Allah. This is – we seek refuge in Allah- a result of the darkness of ones heart, for if one’s heart was lit with the light of guidance, then he would have reconsidered, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: There will be no friend, nor an intercessor for the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers), who could be given heed to. Allah (Exalted be He) also says: …and for the Zâlimûn (wrong-doers, polytheists and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh) there is no helper. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: Consider not that Allâh is unaware of that which the Zâlimûn (polytheists, wrong-doers) do, but He gives them respite up to a Day when the eyes will stare in horror. Allah (Exalted be He) also says: And whoever among you does wrong (i.e. sets up rivals to Allâh), We shall make him taste a great torment. It is reported in Sahih (authentic book) Muslim, from Abu Dhar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Allah (the Exalted) says: “O My servants, I have forbidden injustice upon Myself and have forbidden it for you, so do not wrong one another…” It is also narrated by Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Be on your guard against committing oppression, for oppression is a darkness on the Day of Recompense Likewise, `Abdullah ibn `Amr ibn Al-`As (may Allahbe pleased with them) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: A Muslim is the one who avoids harming Muslims with his tongue and hands. And a Muhajir (emigrant) is the one who gives up (abandons) all that Allah has forbidden. (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim). These Hadiths and others with the same meaning are evident that one should be warned of injustice in matters related people, their honor, and property, due to the great evil and great corruption and their dire consequences. They also indicate the obligation of Tawbah (repentance to Allah) to Allah, the Exalted, of past sins and advising others to leave all that Allah has forbidden of injustice and all other sins.

May Allah grant me and you good attitude and good deeds and keep us away from bad deeds and attitudes! May He guide us to His Straight Path, for He is All-Gracious and The Generous.

May Allah’s Peace and Blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions!

As-salamu `alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah’s Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!).
http://alifta.net/Fatawa/FatawaChapters.aspx?View=Page&PageID=195&PageNo=1&BookID=14

No Soul Shall Bear The Sin Of Another – Shaikh Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Naasir as-Sa’dee

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Taken from “Tayseerul-Kareemir-Rahmaan fee tafseer Kalaamil-Mannaan” of Shaikh Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Naasir as-Sa‟dee.

[Meaning: And no soul shall bear the burden of sin of another, and if a soul heavily laden with sin calls someone else to bear its sins, nothing of it will be lifted even though he be near of kin.][Sooratul-Faatir (35): Ayah 18]

Shaikh `Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Naasir as-Sa‟dee- rahimahullaah-said in his Tafseer of the Aayah: “And the last meaning is indicated by what He mentioned after it, in His Saying:

[Meaning: And no soul shall bear the burden of sin of another], meaning: on the Day of Resurrection everyone shall be recompensed for his own deeds, and no one shall carry the sins of anyone else.

[Meaning: And if a soul heavily laden with sin calls someone else to bear its sins]: i.e. a soul weighed down with sins and evil deeds: if it calls on someone to take on some of its sins,

[Meaning: Then nothing from it will be carried, even if the one asked were a close relative], for sins cannot be carried (even) for a close relative. So the Hereafter is not the same as this world, where relatives can help each other, and close friends. Rather on the Day of Resurrection a person will wish that he had some right due to him from anyone, even if it be his parents or his close relatives.”

[Translated by Aboo Talhah Daawood ibn Ronald Burbank -rahimahullaah]
http://alitisaambissunnah.wordpress.com

Consequences of Sins of a Believer are Repelled with Ten Means – Ibn Taymiyyah

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Repelling the consequences of sinning

Translated by Abbas Abu Yahya

 Shaykh ul-Islaam Ahmad bin AbdulHaleem Ibn Taymeeyah (d.728 A.H.) -Rahimullaah- said:

‘It has been established in the ‘Saheeh’ of al-Bukhari from the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- that he said:

‘Indeed one’s actions are judged by his final actions.’

Therefore, if the believer commits evil than its consequences are repelled from him with ten means:

  1. That he repents, by which Allaah turns to him, since indeed the one who repents from a sin is like the one who has no sin at all.
  2. Or that the person seeks forgiveness from Allaah and Allaah forgives him.
  3. Or he does good actions to wipe out that sin, since indeed good deeds take away evil deeds.
  4. Or that his believing brothers supplicate for him and seek forgiveness for him, whether he is alive or deceased.
  5. Or relay to him the reward of his actions, those with which Allaah benefits him by.
  6. Or that his Prophet Muhammad intercedes for him.
  7. Or Allaah trials him in the Dunya with problems and difficulties expiate his sins.
  8. Or Allaah trials him in al-Barzakh (the stage after death until the Day of Judgment) with Fitnah and being squeezed in the grave, which expiate his sins.
  9. Or Allah trials him with events of al-Qayyama (Resurrection) due to the horror at that time, which expiate his sins.
  10. Or The Most Merciful [Allaah] of those who show mercy has mercy upon him.

[From: ‘at-Tuhfah al-Iraqiyeeh min ‘Amal al-Quloob’ by Ibn Taymeeyah P.366-367]

Source : http://followingthesunnah.wordpress.com

Repenting from all sins but keeping the ill-gotten money (like in the case of new Muslim) – Permanent Committee

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Repenting from all sins but keeping the ill-gotten money

Q 6: A person used to abandon Salah (prayer), drink alcohol and commit vile deeds. He has a lot of ill-gotten money. He then turned to Allah with sincere repentance with regard to all the sins mentioned above except the ill-gotten money. Should he get rid of such ill-gotten money? Or will he be treated like a new Muslim who is not asked about the source of his wealth?

A: on turning to Allah with sincere repentance with regards to the ill-gotten money, it is obligatory for one to get rid of such evil money. In case he is not able to define the ill-gotten money, he can give out what he thinks to clear himself from such guilt. This is to be followed if his sins have not caused him to leave Islam.

On committing sins that make a person leave Islam such as the abandonment of Salah, according to the most preponderant opinion of scholars, even if such a person does not deny its obligation, repentance can be realized by performing Salah and embracing Islam again. This is because Islam wipes out all that has gone before it. Also, one is not obliged to get rid of the money he got before adopting Islam. This is because Allay (Exalted be He) says about the disbelievers, Say to those who have disbelieved, if they cease (from disbelief), their past will be forgiven. As mentioned in the Sahih (Authentic Book of Hadith), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, Islam wipes out all that has gone before it (previous misdeeds). And penitence also wipes out all that has gone before it.

May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions!

Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’

Member     Member     Deputy Chairman     Chairman
Bakr Abu Zayd     Salih Al-Fawzan     `Abdul-`Aziz Al Al-Shaykh     `Abdul-`Aziz ibn `Abdullah ibn Baz

Source : alifta.com

By Allah if Faatima the daughter of Muhammad stole… – Sahih Bukhari

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Narrated ‘Aisha (Radi-Allahu ‘anha):

The people of Quraish worried about the lady from Bani Makhzum who had committed theft. They asked, “Who will intercede for her with Allah’s Apostle?” Some said, “No one dare to do so except Usama bin Zaid the beloved one to Allah’s Apostle.”

When Usama spoke about that to Allah’s Apostle (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam), Allah’s Apostle (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam) said, (to him), “Do you try to intercede for somebody in a case connected with Allah’s Prescribed Punishments?” Then he got up and delivered a sermon saying, “What destroyed the nations preceding you, was that if a noble amongst them stole, they would forgive him, and if a poor person amongst them stole, they would inflict Allah’s Legal punishment on him.

By Allah, if Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad stole, I would cut off her hand.”

Bukhari Vol. 4 : No. 681

A Precious Gem: Forbidden pleasure is combined with ugliness and it will cause pain after the moment has passed – Imam Ibn al Qayyim

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AL-FAWA’ID: A Collection of Wise Syaings

Forbidden pleasure is combined with ugliness and it will cause pain after the moment has passed. If you feel strongly inclined toward it, you should think about the pain it will leave behind. It is necessary to compare the two matters and discover the difference between them.

Suffering pain while worshiping Allah is combined with a good soul that will bear the fruit of pleasure and relief. When the soul finds it heavy and thinks to stop the pain and then compares the end results of the two  matters, he will surely prefer the way of hardship.

If you feel pain because of deeds, you should think about the happiness, joy, and pleasure you will gain, then the pain will seem easy to bear. If you get hurt because of abandoning some kind of forbidden pleasure, you should think about the pain that follows it and compare the two kinds.

To make the correct choice, you must know the reasons and consequences of each act and then choose that which is more deserving and useful. Whoever succeeds at doing this, would choose the better and prefer it. Whoever thinks about this Worldly life and the Hereafter, would know that he will never gain either of them except by hardship. He should bear this hardship in order to gain the best and more lasting of them.

Rendered into English by: Bayan Translation Services
Translation of Umm Al-Qura For Translation, Publishing and Distribution

Worst punishment for the sinners or the Innovators? – Shaykh Saalih-al-Fawzaan

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Question 

Who will have a worse punishment (in the Hereafter): The sinners or the innovators?

Answer

The innovators will have a worse punishment, since innovations are worse than sins. Innovations are more beloved to the Devil than sins because (it is likely that) the sinner may repent –

Sufyaan Ath-Thawree, may Allaah have mercy on him, said:

“Innovation is more beloved to Iblees (the Devil) than sins. This is because sins are repented from whereas innovations are not repented from.”

(Majmoo’-ul-Fataawaa (11/472))

The Prophet said:

“Verily Allaah has prevented repentance from every person of innovation.”

(Silsilat-ul-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah (1620))

– but as for the innovator, then very rarely does he repent because he thinks that he is upon the truth.

This is contrary to the sinner for he knows that he is disobeying Allaah and that he is committing a sinful deed. As for the innovator, he considers himself to be obeying Allaah and to be upon obedience. This is why innovation – and Allaah’s refuge is sought – is worse than sin. And this is why the Salaf warned the people from sitting and gathering with the innovators –

 Al-Hasan Al-Basree, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said:

“Do not sit with a person of innovation, for indeed he will put a disease in your heart.”

(Al-I’tisaam of Ash-Shaatibee (1/72) verified by Saleem Al-Hilaalee and Al-Bid’a wan-Nahee ‘anhaa of Ibn Waddaah (pg. 54))

Ash-Shaatibee (158) said:

“Indeed the saved sect – and they are Ahl-us-Sunnah – are commanded to disassociate themselves from the people of innovations, to expel them, and to punish severely anyone that follows in their direction, whether by killing them or less than that. And the scholars have warned us against accompanying and gathering with them.”

I (the compiler) say : may Allaah have mercy on the Salaf (predecessors). They did not leave behind any person of innovation except that they subdued him and warned against him.

– for they would influence those whom they sat with, and their danger is great. There is no doubt that innovation is worse than sin and that the danger of the innovator is worse to the people than the danger of the sinner. –

Concerning the danger of the people of innovation, Shaykh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taimiyyah, may Allaah have mercy on him, said:

“If it were not for those whom Allaah placed to repel the danger of them [meaning the innovators], the Religion would have been corrupted. Their corruption is worse than the corruption caused by the conquering of the enemies at times of war. For indeed, when they conquer, they do not corrupt hearts or the Religion found in them, except for a while. But as for these people [i.e. the innovators], then they corrupt the hearts from the very beginning.”

(Majmoo’-ul-Fataawaa: (28/232)

He (Ibn Taimiyyah) also said (20/103):

“The people of innovation are worse than the people of lustful sins, according to the Sunnah and the Ijmaa’ (consensus).”

– This is why the Salaf would say:

“Being moderate while upon the Sunnah is better than exerting oneself while upon Innovation.”

[This statement is reported from Ibn Mas’ood, may Allaah be pleased with him. Refer to Al-Laalikaa’ee (1/188, no. 114), Al-Ibaanah (1/320, no. 161) and As-Sunnah of Ibn Nasr (30).]

Reference:
Beneficial Answers to Questions on Innovated Methodologies – Shaykh Saalih-al-Fawzaan Pg. 31-32

A Fly or a Mountain – Sayings of the Salaf

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‘Abdullah b. Mas’ûd – Allah be pleased with him – said:

The believer sees his sins as if he is sitting at the foot of a mountain fearing that it might fall on him, while the sinner (fâjir) sees his sins as a fly that lands on his nose, he just waves it away.

Al-Bukhârî, Al-Sahîh, The Book of Supplications, Chapter on Tawbah.

Ibn Hajr quotes in his commentary, Fath Al-Bârî:Ibn Abî Jumrah said,

“The reason for this [fear] is that the heart of a believer is illuminated; so when he sees from himself something that goes against what he illuminates his heart with, it is very distressing to him. The wisdom behind giving the example of a mountain is that a person might find some way to escape from other dangers, but if a mountain falls on a person he does not survive. In short, the believer is dominated by fear (of Allah) due to the strength of îmân he has; he does not therefore feel falsely secure about being punished because of his sins. This is the way of the Muslim: he always fears and checks on himself, his good deeds are little to him and he fears even the small bad deeds he has done.”

It’s just a small sin

Bilâl b. Sa’d – Allah have mercy on him – said:

Do not think about how small the sin is, but think about who you have just disobeyed.

Ibn Al-Mubârak, Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqâ`iq Vol.1 p150.

Source: http://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/

The True Treasure : I went to steal from him, but he stole from me – Inspirational Story

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A burglar scaled the wall of Maalik bin Dinar’s house one night and easily managed to get inside. Once inside the house, the thief was disappointed to see that there was nothing inside actually worth stealing. The owner of the home was inside at the time, he was busy performing prayer. Realizing that he was not alone, Maalik quickly ended his prayer and turned around to face the thief. Without showing any sign of being shocked or afraid, Maalik calmly extended greetings of peace and then said, “My brother, may Allah forgive you. You entered my home and found nothing that is worth taking, yet I do not want you to leave my home without taking away some benefit.”

He stood up, went to another part of the room, and came back with a jug full of water. He looked into the eyes of the burglar and said, “Make ablution and perform two units of prayer, for if you do so, you will leave my home with a greater treasure than you had initially sought when you entered it.”

Much humbled by Maalik’s manners and words, the thief said, “Yes, that is a generous offer indeed.”

After making ablution and performing two units of prayer, the burglar said, “O Maalik, would you mind if I stayed for a while, for I want to stay to perform two more units of prayer?”

Maalik said, “Stay for whatever amount of prayer Allah decrees for you to perform now.”

The thief ended up spending the entire night at Maalik’s house. He continued to pray until the morning. Then Maalik said, “Leave now and be good.”

But instead of leaving, the thief said, “Would you mind if I stayed here with you today, for I have made an intention to fast the day?”

“Stay as long as you wish,” said Maalik.

The burglar ended up staying for a number of days, praying during the late hours of each night and fasting throughout the duration of each day. When he finally decided to leave, the burglar said, “O Maalik, I have made a firm resolve to repent for my sins and for my former way of life.”

Maalik said, “Indeed, that is in the Hand of Allah.”

The man did mend his ways and began to lead a life of righteousness and obedience to Allah. Later on, He came across another burglar he knew. [His friend] said to him, “Have you found your treasure yet?”

He said, “My brother, what I found is Maalik bin Dinaar. I went to steal from him, but it was he who ended up stealing my heart. I have indeed repented to Allah, and I will remain at the door [of His Mercy and Forgiveness] until I achieve what his obedient, loving slaves have achieved.”

[al-Mawaa’idh wal-Majaalis: 85]

Source: The above is taken from the book “Stories of Repentance” from dar-us-salam publications

A Sin that Leads to Jannah – Ibn al-Qayyim

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Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullah) said:

“Sin may be more beneficial for a person, if it leads him to repent, than doing a lot of acts of worship. This is what is meant by the words of one of the salaf:

‘A person may commit a sin and enter Paradise because of it, or he may do an act of worship and enter Hell because of it.’

They said: ‘How is that?’

He said: ‘He may commit a sin and continues to think about it, and when he stands or sits or walks he remembers his sin, so he feels ashamed and repents and seeks forgiveness and regrets it, so that will be the means of his salvation.
And he may do a good deed and continue to think about it, and when he stands or sits or walks he remembers it and it fills him with self-admiration and pride, so it is the cause of his doom.

So the sin may be the factor that leads him to do acts of worship and good deeds and to change his attitude so that he fears Allah and feels shy before Him and feels humiliated before Him, hanging his head in shame and weeping with regret, seeking he forgiveness of his Lord. Each of these effects is better for a person than an act of worship that makes him feel proud and show off and look down on people. Undoubtedly this sin is better before Allah and is more likely to bring salvation than one who admires himself and looks down on others, and who thinks that he is doing Allah a favour. Even if he says words that indicate something other than that, Allah is the Witness over what is in his heart. Such a person may feel hatred towards people if they do not hold him in high esteem and humiliate themselves before him. If he were to examine himself honestly, he would see that clearly.”

-Madarij as-Salikeen, 1/299

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